Be in the Know

What’s the best way to stay up to speed on what’s going on in Paris? There’s no one answer but here are a few ideas that will put you on the road to being considered in the know.

Read the newspaper: Obvious right? Or perhaps just hopelessly old-fashioned. Even if your French skills are limited, scanning the paper, any paper, will do you good. Le Parisienand France-Soir are easier to read than Libération and Le Monde. Even better, pick up one of the free papers available at your neighborhood métro station. I don’t know for sure but it seems like these papers (Métro, Direct Matin, and 20 Minutes) are written for about a 5th grade literacy level. If nothing else, you should pick up Le Figaroon Wednesdays when it includes the entertainment insert, Figaroscope. And if you can’t read a word of French, try the on-line English language entertainment guide, Paris Update.

Follow Paris blogs: It doesn’t matter whether you just surf on over every now and then for a visit or subscribe to a feed. Just make it a point to take of the advantage of their wisdom and knowledge of upcoming events. Particularly good bets are Paris by Mouth, Secrets of Paris and Paris Weekends.

Pay attention to posters: The city of Paris sponsors many festivals and it seems like every weekend, there’s some kind of fete with themes as wide ranging as gardening, food and wine, music, art, cinema, sport, and, biodiversity. In addition, there are frequent expositions at the large convention centers at Porte de Versailles and Porte de Champerret; these feature vendors, demonstrations, and all manner of activities on a single theme: interior design, manga, independent vintners, automobiles, and yes, of course, chocolate.

One response to “Be in the Know”

We have created a free application a website and a blog “Fan du 16e” to help residents, tourists and new comers to discover this wide arrondissement and to benefit from “bons plans”; feel free to browse.